Fall 2017 | Ventures

This summer, the men's cross country team and the women's field hockey team took flight to hone their skills in unusual—and gorgeous—locales.

Taking Summer Training to New Heights

A group of Mustang men's cross country student-athletes took their traditional summer training to a new level this summer. Instead of running on trails, streets, and tracks close to home, seven of them traveled to Flagstaff, Ariz. for the month of July to train and live together at an altitude of more than 6,900 feet.

Last year, three Mustang cross country runners, Brett Olin, Jackson Morrow, and Sam Mercoli, went to Flagstaff and the improvement in their subsequent performance was noticeable, not only to themselves but also to their teammates, sparking more interest in this year's trip.

In early July, Langston Gash, Olin, Mercoli, Anthony Mercoli, Ryan Siegel, Patrick Watson, and incoming freshman Aditya Singh rented a house in Flagstaff to begin their training. A typical day consisted of a run early in the morning after waking up around 6 a.m.; some days added a second run in the afternoon.

Team Coach David Berdan, a Hall-of-Fame distance runner at Elizabethtown College and later a two-time winner of the Baltimore Marathon, gave Olin and his teammates the initial idea to train at altitude. Berdan sent workouts and mileage each week for the team to follow.

Training at altitude, with thinner air, is an adjustment for any athlete. Olin warned his teammates about just that. "I'll be honest, it was rough that first week out there [last year]," says Olin. "The altitude kind of made it so something that would be considered an easy pace here was difficult. I made it a point to tell my teammates that hadn't experienced it that it was going to feel a little different and not to worry about pace and how fast you're going."

Perhaps more important than the group's training runs, however, was the time not spent running. The vast amounts of downtime allowed the group to explore their new West Coast surroundings and to get to know each other better away from cross country.

"I'd love to get more guys out there," says Gash. "It was a fun experience, you get to know the guys on the team. I'd like for more guys on the team to experience that." If the Mustangs can better their best MAC finish of fifth, the group should have little trouble convincing others to join them in Arizona next summer.

Field Hockey Travels to Barbados for Preseason Training

To prepare for the 2017 season, the Stevenson field hockey team made a trip to the Eastern Caribbean island of Barbados, where they trained and competed in the Barbados Hockey Festival.

"I had done some abroad trips in the past and every year that I had done it I had found it was such a wonderful event for the girls," explains Head Coach Laurel Martin. "To see and learn about different cultures and to have team bonding was amazing."

The Mustangs competed in three friendlies and had four training sessions on the trip. Teams competing in the tournament included club teams from both England and Ireland as well as the Barbados National and Junior National teams.

"We got to play on an AstroTurf field, which was a true advantage because it is a faster surface and helps sharpen our skills," says Martin. "It is a surface we very rarely get to participate on and it is one the top NCAA teams get to play on regularly. Overall, it was a great opportunity to play on a preferred surface and to grow and bond."

The team also got to enjoy the island, partaking in the Cool Running Catamaran trip where they were able to sail the Caribbean Sea and swim with tropical fish and green turtles. The Mustangs also had free time to explore the town where they stayed, St. Lawrence Gap, which is one of the best-known towns on the island of Barbados. Before the team returned home, they had time in Bridgetown, the island''s largest and most vibrant city.

"This trip was an advantage because you get to play more games and prepare for your regular season," Martin adds. "It was a win across the board."

WANT MORE? Check out gomustangsports.com and find videos, photographs, stats, schedules, interviews, and much more. To stay up-to-date, bookmark the site and visit it frequently.

The cultural events are thriving at Stevenson, where the university community and its guests enjoy an array of arts exhibitions, theatre productions, music performances, guest speakers, film screenings, and more. Just a few of the events orchestrated to inspire creativity, learning, and discovery in the coming months include:

Guest Speakers and Lectures

Department of Film and Moving Image

Artist-in-Residence: Theo Anthony
Oct. 17, Reception: 6 p.m. Screening of Rat Film:
7 p.m.
School of Design Soundstage (OMN)
The Department of Film and Moving Image welcomes Theo Anthony as the fall 2017 Artist-in-Residence. Anthony is a writer, photographer, and filmmaker currently based in Baltimore. His films have premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival, SXSW, and Anthology Film Archives. His first feature, Rat Film, debuted at the 2016 Locarno International Film Festival to critical acclaim.

Baltimore Speaker Series On Campus

Jon Meacham
Oct. 24
Location/time TBD
For more information, call 410-486-7000.
Presidential historian, Pulitzer Prize-winner, and contributing editor at TIME, Jon Meacham is one of America's most prominent public intellectuals. A regular guest on Morning Joe, he is known as a skilled raconteur with a depth of knowledge about politics, religion, and current affairs.

10th Annual Shapiro/Rouse Lecture

Ronald M. Shapiro
Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
Rockland Ballroom (OM)
The annual Shapiro/Rouse lecture in Business Communication is an endowed event made possible through the generosity of Ronald M. Shapiro, Esq. and his wife Kathryn Shapiro. This year's 10th annual lecture will feature Ronald himself. He is an expert negotiator, sports agent, attorney, New York Times bestselling author, and civic leader.

University Singers

Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Inscape Theatre (GS)
The University Singers will present a diverse program of multicultural composers and arrangers, featuring classical and contemporary choral styles as well as holiday favorites.

Exhibitions

Berlin: From Space To Place

Reception: Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m.
On view: Aug. 28, 2017-May 18, 2018
St. Paul Companies Pavilion (GS)
This photo exhibit asks its audience to consider the intentional, inviting, isolating, and comforting aspects of a built environment—specifically the city of Berlin, Germany. Twenty-one students spent eight days documenting, researching, and capturing physical and expressive relationships they observed during a study abroad trip to Berlin in spring 2017.

Sustainability In Fashion, Empathy For The Environment

Reception: Nov. 30, 6–8 p.m.
On View: Nov. 30–Dec. 15
Manning Academic Center Gallery (OMN)
Stevenson University's Fashion Design program presents Sustainability in Fashion, Empathy for the Environment, an exhibition of original garments created by junior fashion design majors. Students will showcase experimental garments derived from recycled, repurposed and found objects accompanied by an innovative eveningwear design. Stevenson's fashion design and merchandising majors will create exhibition boards that tell the story of each designer's influences.

Pop Go the Arts

Beginning this fall, Stevenson will supplement the Cultural Programs and Exhibitions schedule with a series of Pop-Up arts experiences, creating a robust, arts-rich campus community. Pop-Ups will include hands-on design workshops, impromptu musical and theatrical performances, creative conversations, and much more. These arts experiences will be hosted outside of the university’s traditional venues at a variety of campus locations at the heart of student engagement and activity.

For more information and a full schedule of the fall's cultural offerings, visit stevenson.edu/arts.

A lot has changed in 70 years but the tightknit, caring community created by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur remains motivated by and dedicated to the success of each of its members: past, present, and future.

The time-tested commitment to preparing every student for a successful career through a liberal arts education and personalized attention from faculty and staff remains at the heart of our University. And the motto "for living, for learning" is witnessed every day as our alumni share their wisdom and experience with our current students.

Throughout this, our 70th anniversary year, reflect on the following thoughts about Stevenson.

Never Forget: You Are A Mustang

Stevenson alumni make an impact. They give back to the University and serve their communities. They strengthen the reputation of their alma mater through their personal success. They promote the institution across their professional networks. They maintain the meaningful connections built with faculty, staff, and peers during their student experience. And they never forget what it means to be a Mustang.

Watch The Legacy Grow

There is an unwavering heritage of community ingrained in the fabric of Stevenson University that is strengthened by our growing population of legacy families. Firmly rooted in the institution's history, an academic focus on career preparation and a commitment to serving others are ideals that have been passed from generation to generation. Through the years, the institution has provided many graduates with the opportunity to share a unique bond with family members who also called Villa Julie/Stevenson "home" at one time. In turn, these legacy families have enhanced the overall support and commitment of our alumni body. Stevenson University will forever take pride in the longstanding tradition it shares with generations of legacy families.

Your Involvement Makes Us Stronger

If it's been a while since you thought about how you might want to be involved with the University, now is a great time to think about what might be a meaningful connection for you. There are many ways to connect with SU and our nearly 18,000 alumni. You can support initiatives on and off campus by volunteering, attending events, and promoting the SU brand.

You also have the power to strengthen Stevenson University by giving back. Through your philanthropic support and volunteerism, you can move us forward and make sure that our students have the educational experience they will need to make an impact, just as you have.

To learn more about getting involved, please contact Allison Humphries '11, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, at ahumphries@stevenson.edu or 443-334-2063.

The Stevenson University Alumni Association Board (AAB) works to connect, celebrate, and represent the alumni body, or Alumni Association, in the community and across the entire University.

All Stevenson graduates automatically become members of the Alumni Association, and there is no membership fee.

This governing group consists of 30 members-at-large, a regional ambassador, and two student representatives. Members of the AAB represent a wide range of class years, programs of study, student experiences, and professional networks. It is the mission of the AAB to engage alumni constituents in the life of the University beyond graduation. Through the development and enhancement of events and initiatives, AAB members work to strengthen the connection that alumni have to their alma mater.

The Board is comprised of five committees: Executive, Athletics, Engagement, Events, and Nominations and Awards.

• THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE provides leadership to all committees and works to promote a sense of community and engage active and non-active alumni.

• THE ATHLETICS COMMITTEE builds the legacy and tradition of former student-athletes through outreach and engagement across all Athletic programs.

• THE ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE develops service initiatives externally and supports student service projects on and off campus. Members of this committee also work to engage others to support the University philanthropically by working closely with representatives of the Advancement Office.

• THE EVENTS COMMITTEE focuses on building community and pride by carrying out creative and interesting events that meet the needs of a diverse population of alumni.

• THE NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE strives to ensure diversity and inclusion in the selection of new members to the Alumni Association Board and alumni award recipients.

“ I absolutely loved my time at Villa Julie College and I am very impressed with the vision and direction of Stevenson University. I give my time because it's important for alumni who had a great experience to help ensure current students have that same experience or better!”
-Anthony Davis ’02 ’03M, Vice President

Members of the Alumni Association Board

Bradley Bartkowiak '07

Chrissy Bowman '02
Events Co-Chair

Margaret Boyd-Anderson '91 '17

Tracey Cantabene '95

Rob Carter '08

Shervonne Cherry '05
President, Executive Chair

Tonia Cristino '08 '10M
Athletics Chair

Anthony Davis '02 '03M
Vice President, Nominations & Awards Chair

Katie Decker '10 '12M

Megan Donovan '16

Nick Farano '12

Ashleigh Fiorino '12

Esther Ford '11

Matthew Glace '03 '06M

Melanie Hagan '91

Gabby Howard '12

Julie Johnson '06

Matt Johnson '98
Immediate Past President

Andrew McGregor '15 '16M

Jen Milam '09

Blaire Miller '05
Engagement Chair

Marcia Neuburger '05

Lauren Novsak '19
Student Representative

Angie Pallozzi '05
Events Co-Chair

AJ Randhawa '11

Shantell Roberts '08

Ryan Salah '15

Jenny Schroeder '12

Tara Shishmanian '15
D.C. Regional Ambassador

James Smyrnioudis '02

Mike Tyler '02

Jennifer Verch '01

Kourtney Wells '18
Student Representative

Marcie Wood '93 '97

If you are interested in learning more about the Alumni Association Board, please contact Allison Humphries '11, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, at ahumphries@stevenson.edu or 443-334-2063.

Already working as a technical recruiter, Adrian Russo (business and technology management '15M) decided to pursue a master's degree because he wanted to gain a better understanding of the business professionals with whom he worked. He originally attended a well-known distance learning university but after a semester of taking a computer science course, Russo felt that there was no connection with his faculty or fellow students and was uncomfortable with the method of instruction. After some research, he chose Stevenson.

"I could tell that the Business and Technology Management program was different as early as the first open house," Russo says. "The faculty took time to understand my goals and assisted me in selecting a program that matched my desired outcome. They took care to make sure that I felt comfortable with my education plan and had the actual professors who would be teaching me give their advice. The contrast in the level of engagement between the previous university and Stevenson was stark."

Russo considers Stevenson's curriculum to be highly relevant with coursework that extended well beyond what he had expected. "My professors were very well qualified and possessed extensive academic and real-world experience. For example, Information Technology Law was taught by an attorney who practices technology transfer and eDiscovery law," he says. "My professor for Enterprise Application Development quite literally held every development certification offered by Microsoft. The faculty at Stevenson is world-class and second to none."

In fact, his Stevenson education changed Russo's career goals. Today, he owns a business and consults on the technical side of talent acquisition. "I develop applications and architect recruiting solutions," he explains. "My studies at Stevenson really changed the way I approach HR and talent acquisition."

Another difference between Stevenson online programs and those at other institutions? That it actually feels like a community, Russo notes. "I still keep in contact with classmates, professors, advisors, and staff. Everyone genuinely cares for each other. It is evident during school activities, whether in an online environment or a campus event.

"Stevenson is the type university that you just want to be a part of. I formed real connections with classmates and professors and enjoy being a part of the SU community."

Standing at the podium in the Owings Mills gymnasium, looking out upon a sea of eager Mustangs, Bryna Colley (visual communication design '06) addressed the Class of 2021. "I know exactly what it's like to sit where you're sitting," Colley said. And she does.

Colley was selected as the 2017 keynote speaker at Convocation, a traditional ceremony held each August to welcome freshman and new students to the Stevenson family. Her comments included three pieces of advice that were a culmination of tips and tricks learned throughout her student experience and beyond. First, "You're doing this for you!" she saidd. "See when someone sets the bar for you, you're only going to jump as high as that bar. But when someone challenges you to jump as high as possible, the sky's the limit." Colley urged new members of the Stevenson community to challenge themselves by getting involved, setting goals, and going beyond what is expected.

While a student at Stevenson, she was at the top of her class and stood out as a highly creative and involved student. After graduation, Colley went to work for a highly regarded design and marketing agency in Baltimore, BCG (B. Creative Group), where she landed several national accounts and was highly sought-after by clients for her creative competence and attention to detail.

Several years later, Colley, along with her creative partner, BCG employee and SU alumna Rebecca Smith Biello ‘06, ventured out on their own to form 2Fold Collective. Taking this leap wasn't something they did lightly. Her second piece of advice? "Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. At the end of the day, I know that my proudest moments have stemmed from the things that I've felt the most uncomfortable doing."

Over time, Colley and Biello launched a second enterprise with a web-development partner company, Foxtrot Media, to form their most recent brand Foundry 19, located in Owings Mills across from Foundry Row. All the while, Colley has continued to give back to her alma mater, serving as a guest speaker to students and as a member of the School of Design Advisory Board, annually reviewing student portfolios.

Her closing advice was simple. "Meet people, meet people, meet people." Colley admitted that she was naïve during her time as a student, expecting that working hard in class meant she'd land a job after graduation. She stressed, "It's not only about what you know, it's about who you know."

2Fold hires numerous graduates as interns and employees; today, the Foundry19 team of nine employees consists of four Stevenson graduates. Colley's Stevenson connections helped her reach the success she's achieved today and as a result she looks to provide opportunities to fellow Mustangs.

She ended her speech with the million dollar question—and answer. "Will Stevenson get you there? I can't promise you that. What I can promise it that Stevenson University is holding the door open for you."